With a resounding [Ding!] a system notification echoed in Adrian's head, announcing the completion of a VIP Plundering.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host, you have obtained the "Ice-Ice Fruit" ability of the newly dead "Kuzan"!]
[The system has been automatically eliminated side effects such as seawater and seastone!]
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for obtaining "Intermediate Armament Haki". Since it has not exceeded the level of the Host itself, it is automatically converted into corresponding experience!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining "Advanced Observation Haki". Since it does not exceed the level of the Host itself, it is automatically converted into the corresponding experience!]
As the system prompts faded, Adrian's figure slowly emerged from the shifting yellow sands. He couldn't afford to let Kuzan live, not after his plan to join the Blackbeard Pirates. Whether Aokiji was an undercover agent or not in the original didn't matter. Blackbeard was a threat he needed to eliminate eventually, and he couldn't allow the pirate to become any more powerful. So today, Aokiji had to die.
"Huh... Fortunately, the captain's important business wasn't delayed!" Shiryu let out a long breath, his hand, still gripping his blade, trembling slightly. The desperate Slash Wave he had unleashed moments ago had left him feeling completely hollowed out.
Van Augur, standing beside him, felt the same way. Their own strength wasn't weak; they were both top-tier individuals in their respective fields. Had they had joined a different Yonkos crew, they would have a place among the top ranks. But they had chosen to follow Adrian, a man whose growth rate was simply monstrous. Everyone around him was a powerhouse, and a constant, unspoken competition drove them all. They pushed themselves to improve, terrified of being left behind.
blue blue blue...
Just as Adrian was getting used to the power of the ice-Ice Fruit and turning his gaze toward Akainu, the Den Den Mushi on his body suddenly rang. He pulled it out and saw that it was Violet calling.
"Did the reinforcements arrive so soon?!" Adrian's brow furrowed slightly as he anticipated what was coming.
"My lord, the Marine's advance troops are about to enter the waters of Punk Hazard. You and the officers must retreat quickly!" Sure enough, Violet's anxious voice came through the snail.
"Very good." In the distance, Kizaru breathed a sigh of relief. He had been watching Adrian closely, noticing his focus on Akainu. If even Akainu were to die here, it would be a devastating blow to the Marines.
"You and Death Song will meet at the designated place immediately," Adrian said, hanging up the call. He gave up on the idea of continuing his attack on Akainu for now. Turning to Bullet, who was still locked in combat with the admiral, he shouted, "It's over, let's go!"
Without hesitation, the group, along with the entire portion of the island containing the research institute, began to ascend into the sky, leaving Kizaru and Akainu stunned.
"Adrian, just you wait! I will never forget this grudge!" Akainu roared, his face a mask of resentment as he dragged himself out of the magma. He was at his limit. His body was covered in scars, his left arm hung limply at his side, and his face was ashen. He looked as if he could collapse at any moment.
Dozens of minutes later, Commander-in-Chief Kong arrived with reinforcements. The sight of the brutal battlefield stopped them in their tracks. But when they saw Aokiji's lifeless body and the severely wounded, blood-soaked Akainu slumped on the ground, they froze.
Two out of the three Marine Admirals, one dead and one gravely injured. If this news got out, the Marine's authority would be shattered.
"Borsalino, what happened?" Kong's eyes, filled with suppressed fury, fell on Kizaru. It wasn't just that he was looking for someone to blame; the handsome admiral was too clean. Besides a small tear in his cloak from Shiryu's attack, he had no other injuries. Meanwhile, Akainu was in a devastating state and Aokiji was ...
Cold sweat trickled down Kizaru's forehead as he humbly recounted the entire story.
"Damn it, is that kid out of his mind?!" Kong clenched his fists, roaring with rage. "It's only been a month since the Summit War, and he's already started several more. What is he trying to do? Does he really think no one can stop him?"
In the history of the Marines, they had never suffered such massive losses. First, Sengoku's "heroic sacrifice" at the Summit War, then Garp's shadow being taken, turning him into a "ghost" that couldn't see the light of day. Now, one admiral was dead and another was severely injured. The casualties among the Marines' top brass were staggering, and it would have an extremely negative impact on their future development and stability.
The more Kong thought about it, the angrier he became. He pulled out his Den Den Mushi and called the Five Elders directly. However, after a short report, he hung up, his face a picture of frustration.
"First, take Sakazuki back for treatment and prepare Aokiji for burial. As for this matter... we'll discuss it at a later date!" Kong sighed, utterly helpless. He had just been severely chewed out by the Five Elders on the phone. Their stance was clear: nothing to be done to provoke Adrian now. Akainu and Aokiji had disobeyed orders and fought a private deathmatch at Punk Hazard, so their casualties were "unavoidable."
Can you five old men ignore the Marines to this extent now? Kong thought.
But he could do nothing. He knew the Five Elders feared the power of the Poseidon. So, the Marines could only swallow this bitter pill.
Garp and the others present showed expressions of deep humiliation and disappointment. The World Government's attitude had left them feeling helpless and disheartened. But what could they do?
As the group returned to Marine Headquarters, a dark and depressing atmosphere settled over the base.
However, Kizaru was in high spirits. Aokiji's death and Akainu's serious injuries provided him with a perfect opportunity to become the next Fleet Admiral. The easygoing admiral felt that his time had finally come. Surely the World Government wouldn't choose a disabled man to lead the Marines? It would be a blow to the organization's reputation. Kizaru even began to secretly practice his inaugural speech.
But just as he was lost in his daydream, the bad news came.
Even with Akainu's left arm nearly crippled, the Five Elders and the World Government still chose him. Kizaru was not even on the list of candidates.
The normally carefree Borsalino looked at his reflection in the mirror, his face filled with sorrow.
"So the Joker was actually me?!"